Latch



Feb 23, 1954 J. L. LEM-HERMAN 2,670,231

LATCH Filed July 5, 1951 1 /Q lull f/.IIL

INVENTOR.

A 7 TOZA/EY Patented Feb. 23, r1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LATCH Johnnie L. Leatherman, Millsap, Tex. Application July 5, 1951, Serial No. 235,130 4 Claims. (Cl. 292-99) This invention relates to latching devices for doors, and it has particular reference to a latch for screen doors, and its principal object resides in the provision of a latch assembly which is especially adaptable to use for securing screen doors, and capable of being locked from the inside, as desired.

An object of the invention is that of providing a simple and economical structure comprising a mounting bracket lhaving a tensioned latch lever thereon .and having means for automatically actuating the lever when the door is closed.

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a latch which is capable of use in securing doors, gates, and the like, and providing a latch pin mountable on a door or gate post and adjustable to a variety of spacings from the door latch by rotating the mounting plate.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates the invention in side elevation in latched position, the mounting bracket being shown in longitudinal section on lines I.I of Figure 3.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the invention in latched position.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the invention in latched position, showing the locking device in operation, the door and door-post being illustrated fragmentarily in transverse section, and

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the invention in unlatched position, the mounting bracket being shown in vertical section.

Accordingly, the invention comprises a mounting bracket which is formed with a plate IIJ which has integral flanges II and I2 extending at right angles therefrom and which are substantially triangular in form, as apparent in Figures 1 and 4. A latch lever I3 is supported for operation on a pivot I4 which is journalled at each end in the anges II and I2.

The lever I3 has a cam I5 formed therewith which extends at right angles from the longitudinal plane of the lever and on the opposite side of the pivot I4 therefrom. A flat arched spring I6 is supported on the plate I between the iianges II and I2 and the cam I5 has a bearing thereagainst whereby the lever I3 is arrested in latched or unlatched positions, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, respectively. A chain I1 has one end secured to the outer end of the lever I3 in a slot I8 formed therein, and shown in Figures 2 and 3. The chain I'I is arranged through a bore I9 in 2 the stile 20 of the door so that the lever I3 can be operated from the outside of the door.

Integral with the lower end of the lever I3 and opposite the pivot I4 is formed a hook 2| which is adapted to engage a latch pin 22 extending from a plate 23 which is secured by screws 24, or other device, to a post 25 of the door frame. The pin 22 is eccentrically located on the plate 23, as shown in Figure 1, so that when the latter is rotated, or arranged at diierent angular positions, the pin 22 can be spaced from the door stile 20 as required to properly secure the door.

Rearwardly of the hook 2I is an integral lug 26 which is arranged at right angles to the axis of the pivot I4, and it has the function of engaging the pin 22, as illustrated in Figure 4, to cause the hook 2I to overreach the pin 22 to latch the door in the position shown in Figure 1, the cam I5 meanwhile having a sliding contact with the spring I6 to retain the hook 2I on the pin 22. Obviously, when the lever I3 is moved on its pivot I4 to the position shown in Figure 4, either from the inside or by the chain II from the outside, the door can be opened. As it moves shut the hook 2I automatically engages the pin 22.

The lever I3 can be locked in its operative position, as shown in Figure 1, by a locking lever 21 which is also pivotally supported between the anges II and I2 on a pin 2 8 located above and rearwardly of the pivot I4. A cam 29 is formed on the lever 2'I opposite its operative end and engages the spring I6 which secures the lever 21 in locked and unlocked positions, as in Figures 1 and 4, the unlocked position also being shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.

A tab 30 is formed on one side of the member 2l for operating the same. The tab 30 can be formed on either or both sides of the member 21 so that the latch assembly can be placed on either right or left hand doors. The lever 21 may also be formed so that it can be reversible, or capable of being installed so that the tab 30 may extend from either side of the assembly. The cam 29 will retain the lever 21 in either of its positions by reason of its association with the spring I6.

Manifestly, the structure herein shown and described is capable of certain changes and modiflcations from time to time, by persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1. In a latch for screen doors cooperating with latch pin on the door frame, a mounting bracket having a pair of flanges integral with its sides and means for securing the same to a screen door, a latch lever formed with a hook on its lower end and engageable with said latch pin, a cam formed with said lever at its pivot, a lug member formed at right angles to said cam, a spring arranged on said bracket between said flanges and engageable by said cam whereby said lug is engageablevbysaid latch pintonmove said hook tooverreach and engage 'the esame, means arranged through said door for operating said lever, and a locking member for securing said lever in locked position.

2. In a latch for screen doors, in combination',I 1

a latch plate attachable to a door havinga pair of right-angular flanges formed `vtherewith, `a latch lever pivotally iianges and formed with a hook engageable with a latch pin, a cam formed on said lever opposite said hook, a spring arranged on said plate between ;said -flanges `and engageable lby lsaid :cam to actuate saidlevertodocked and unlocked positions,y Ameans :extending through said door -for operating the saidllever, and allocking member having a cam thereon vpivote'dbetweenv 4said flanges'whereby to lock said'lever in engagement with said latch pin.

3. In aY latch for doors'cooperatingvwith a latch pinona door frame, in-combination, a latching lever and a mounting bracket lproviding a pivotal support therefor, 4a hook formed on the lower end of'said lever engageable With a latching pin,

arranged Abetween l said a lug formed with said lever opposite said hook and engageable with said latch pin to guide said hook thereupon, a cam formed with said lever and a spring on said mounting bracket engageable with said cam to retain the same in latched and unlatched positions, means arranged through said door for actuating said latch lever, and a locking member for said lever having a pivotal mounting on said bracket in operative association Vwith saidlever.

4. In a'locking 'device'ior doors, in combination, a latch lever having a pivotal mounting be- `tween a pair of flanges of a mounting bracket on said door, a hook formed with the lower end of said lever and forwardly of the pivot of said -leverfa nlugintegral with said lever rearwardly miy said hookandengageable with a latch pin to guide said hook thereupon, a cam formed with said lever and extending rearwardly thereof, a spring in said mounting bracket engageable by sai'd :,cam, 'a :flexible means fior foperatinglsaid lever Sironi the ,exterior of -said door, s anda .locke-- ing. device for said latch `lever.

J OHNNIE L. 'I .EATHERMALN References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES .PATENTS Number Name Date v4:1,269,467 Leonard-etal -,JunezmflSlS, 1,435,971 Mueller Nov'.121, 1922" 1,789,775 'Russ et-al. Jan.;20,y 1931: 

